Duplicating machine



April 23, 1946.

F. R. FORD DUPLICATING MACHINE Filed April 27, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FME-8.2.

INVENTQR M Kwam By a ATTQQNEY.

April 23, 1946. F R FORD I 2,398,888

DUPLICATING MACHINE Filed April 27, 1944 l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY Kg ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 23, 1946 UNiTEDm-'STATES PATENT oi-Fica y DUPLICATING MACHINE Y Frank Ronald Ford, Sparkbrook, Birmingham,

` England Application April er, 1944, serial No. 532,948 in Great Britain March zo, 1943 8 Claims.

This invention relates to duplicating machines ofthe kind wherein a master sheet bearing in reverse script the matter to be reproduced is mounted on a cylinder with which co-operates a pressure roller, the copy sheets being fed between the cylinder and pressure roller and being moistened by means of a moistenlng pad before coming into contact with the master sheet on the cylinder.

The object of the present invention is to provide improved means for controlling the flow of liquid from a reservoir to the moistening pad.

According to the present invention, liquid is conveyed to the operative surface of the moistening pad by an absorbent member having a gap therein, a movable absorbent member which can be adjusted into andout of said gap being provided for controlling the supply of liquid to said pad.

The gap may divide the absorbent member into two separate parts so that when the movable member is completely Withdrawn from the gap, no liquid is conveyed to the moistening pad. The movable member, however, can be advanced into the gap, and the amount of liquid then conveyed to the moistening pad will depend upon the surface area of contact between the movable absorbent member and the absorbent members on each side of it.

The movable member may be formed with parallel edges adapted to make contact with mutually parallel surfaces on the stationary absorbsent member at opposite sides of the gap therein, the supply ofl liquid to the operative face of the moistening pad being regulated by varying the area of contact between the contacting parallel surfaces of the movable and stationary absorbent members.

Alternatively that part of the movable member which is adapted to engage in the gap may be formed with mutually convergent edges so that the member is spear shaped, and the edges of thegap in the stationary absorbent member may be correspondingly shaped.

In order that my invention may be clearly understood and more readily carried into practice, I have appended hereto two sheets of drawings wherein- Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of a duplicatingmachine embodying the present invention.

4 Figure 2` is asimilar view, to an enlarged scale, of the moistener shown in Figure 1. r

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the moistener, with the parts thereof shown separated.

Figure 4 `is an end view of a modified construction of moistener shown in position on the machine, and

Figure 5 is a plan view showing part of this modified moistener in section on the line 5 5 of Figure 4.

In the construction illustrated in Figure 1, the machine comprises spaced sid'e members I0 secured together by tie-rods I I and having mounted between them a transversely disposed impression cylinder I2 which is provided with a clip I3 for engagement with the leading edge of a master sheet bearing in reversed or mirror script the matter to be reproduced. l

Beneath the cylinder I2 and parallel thereto is a pressure roller I4 by means of which'copy sheets from a, feed table (not shown) are brought into pressure contact with a master sheet on the cylinder I2 whilst passingthrough the machine.

Before reaching the :nipl between the roller I4 and cylinder I2 the copy sheets pass beneath a moistener which forms the subject of the present invention. r

This moistener, shown in detail in Figures 2 to 4 of the drawings, may be of the general kind described in Patent No. 2,345,335, issued to me I March 28, 1944, wherein there is a tank or reservoir I5 for the moistening liquid and spaced above this tank I5 is a housing for the moistening pad I6 with which the copy sheets are brought into contact, the liquid from the tank I5 being conveyed to the pad I6 by capillary action through wicks accommodated in inclined tubes Il which connect the tank i5 'with the pad housing.

Conveniently the wick tubes I1 are formed separately from the tank I5 and are of rectangular section, their width measured transversely of the machine being substantially less than their measurement in a front to rear direction.

The pad housing, to which the upper ends of the tubes I1 are attached, comprises a rigid plate I8 disposed transversely of the machine and provided at its ends with brackets I9 which slide into channels 20 in the inner faces of the frame members I0 so as to support the moistener as a whole.

The plate I8 is formed with a longitudinal recess which accommodates the' main feed Wick or wicks 2l and an auxiliary wick 22, this recess preferably taking the form of a slotv 23 which is covered by a plate 24 secured by screws 25.

Detachably' mounted beneath the rigid plate I8 is a carrier plate 28 for the moistening pad IS,

-which latter has its upper surface covered by the plate I8 whilst one of its marginal portions projects beyond the plate 25 and is thus exposed on the underside.

Screws or equivalent means may be provided for drawing the plates I8, 26 together so that light pressure is established between the pad I6 and the underside of the feed wick 2|, such an arrangement forming the subject of my co-pending application Serial No. 532,949, filed April 27, 1944.

In applying the present invention to such a construction between the tank l and the housing containing the moistening pad 26, the portions ofthe feed wick or wicks 2| disposed within the tubes I1 are divided so that a gap is formed in each as shown at 28 in Figures 2 and 3.

The end 29 of the upper wick section in each tube I1 may be cut in a V so that when the wick section is viewed from the side. the end 29 is dened by a horizontal line extending to about the centre line and then by a downwardly in- ,L clined line extending to" the further edge of the Wick.

The upper end 30 of the lower wick section is cut oif obliquely so thatl the lower edge of the gap 28 extends horizontally when this wick section is in position in the inclined tube I1.

Each inclined tube I1 is provided with a horizontally arranged branch tube 3| extending above the tank I5, this branch tube 3| having a sectional shape and size similar to that of the main wick tube I1 and accommodating an absorbent'member 32 which may comprise a short length of the material used for the feed wick or wicks 2|, its vertical dimension being such that, when advanced, into the gap 28 it engages the edges 29, 30 of the upper and lower wick sections to the inclined tube I1.

This movable absorbent member 32 is slidably mounted in a suitable metal holder 33 in the horizontal tube 3|, its forward end projecting from the holder 33. Preferably the forward end of the member 32 is of V shape, so that when fully advanced it completely lls the gap 28 aforesaid.

Suitable means are provided for advancing or retracting the holder 33 in the branch tube 3|, such means preferably comprising a screw 34 carried by the holder 33 and which extends through a tapped hole 35 in a, block closing the front end of the branch tube 3|. For convenience of operation the screw 34 may have a knurled head 36, and its inner end may be formed with a thread 31 of opposite hand to that on the rest of the screw. The thread 31 engaging a tapped hole 38 through the base of the holder 33.

The arrangement may be such that the movable absorbent members 32l can be adjusted either individually or together. The effect of such adjustment being to vary the area of contact between the movable absorbent members 32 and the upper and lower wick sections in the tubes I1, and thereby to regulate the supply of liquid to the moistening pad I6.

To facilitate insertion of the feed wick or wicks 2| into the enclosed tubes I1, the separated wick sections associated with each such tube may be enclosed in a box-like carrier 40 which iits the cross-section of the tube I1 and which is cut away as at 4I so that the movable absorbent member 32 can enter the gap28 between the wick sections.

An alternativecform of operating means for the movable absorbent members 32 is shown in Figures 4 and 5 each of the carriers 33 in this case being provided with a plain cylindrical stem tion of the two stems 42 which extends through a plain hole in the block 43 closing the front end of the tube 3| and a nut 44 and washer 45 may be provided at the outer end of the stem 42 to form an adjustable abutment thereon. The inner surfaces of these nuts 44 may be of part-spherical shape.

Mounted so that it canslide on the projecting stems 42, and disposed horizontally across the front of the tank I5, is a cam bar 46 which may be of fiat section and which has two slots 41 through which the stems 42 extend. Adjacent each of the slots 41 the bar 46 is provided with an inclined step 48 and compression springs 49 are provided within the tubes 3| which tend to advance the movable absorbent members 32.

With such an arrangement, movement of the bar 46 in an endwise direction, controls the posi-1 42 in accordance with the position of the inclined steps 48 engaging the abutments on the stems, and means may be provided whereby the bar 46 can be set at any one of a .number of positions each corresponding to a ditl'erent 'position of the movable absorbent members 32 in the tubes 3|.

One end of the cam bar'46 is provided with an indicating pointer 50 adapted to move over a l scale 5I xed to the adjacent side member Ill of the machine, this scale 5I being marked at spaced positions with the words on and oiT' and with a number of divisions between these two markll'igS.

At the opposite end thereof the cam bar 46 is provided with a projection 52 at one side adapted to be engaged by an adjustable stop pin 53.

This stop pin 53 is carried by a plate 54 which is angularly adjustable about a pivot 55 on the adjacent side member I0 of the machine. This plate may be approximately of sector shape, with the stop pin 53 disposed at the smaller end of the sector, and the pivot 55 may be situated on the centre line of the plate 54 intermediate the ends thereof.

Near its larger end the stop plate 54 is formed with an arcuate slot 56 through which extends a stud 51 fixed in the side member Il) of the machine, a clamping nut 58 being placed on this stud 51 so that the stop plate 54 can be retained in any adjusted position after turning it about its pivot 55 to vary the position of the stop pin 53.

In use the operator moves the cam bar 46 (for example, by means of a handle 59 thereon) to theposition giving the desired results as regards reproduction of copies, and then adjusts the adjustable stop plate 54 so that the pin 53 is in engagement with the projection 52 on the cam bar 46; The plate 54 may be provided with "on and o markings corresponding to those on the scale 5|.

Whenl work is finished, the Ycam bar 46 is moved until the indicating pointer 50 coincides with the oi marking on the scale 5I. In this position the movable absorbent members 32 will be out of the gaps 28 Vbetween the feed wick sections, so that no liquid will be fed to the moistenin'glpad I6. When restarting the machine, the operator moves the cam bar 48 endwise until the projection 52 thereon abuts the stop pin 53 yso that the correct position for the cam bar 46 will thus immediately be obtained, and experiment to determine such position each time work is started will be unnec The inclined steps 48 and projection 52 aforesaid may be'integral with or xedly attached to and a cam member interposed between said clothe cam bar 46, but it is preferable to form them as separate members capable of a limited adjustment longitudinally of the bar. For instance,

the steps 48 and projection 52 may be secured tube and having a gap therein, a branch tube associated with said feed tube and a movable absorbent member guided in said branch tube and sure and said abutment and movable to retract said holder against the action of said spring.

capable of adjustment into and out of said gap to l vary the cross-section of capillary ow through l said wick and, thus, to control the supply of liquid to said pad. y

2. A moistening device for duplicating machines comprising a moistening pad, a reservoir for moistening liquid, a feed tube extending upwardly from said reservoir, a stationary wick for conveying liquid to said moistening pad, part of said Wick being disposed within said feed tube and having a gap therein, a branch tube associated with said feed tube, a movable absorbent member guided in said branch tube and capable of adjustment into and out of said gap to vary the cross-section of capillary ilow through said wick and, thus, to control the supply of liquid to' said. pad, a closure for the outer end of said branch tube and actuating means for said movable absorbent member, said actuating means extending longitudinally of said branch tube and through said closure.

3. A moistening device for duplicating machines comprising a moistening pad, a reservoir for moistening liquid, a feed tube extending upwardly from said reservoir, a stationary wick for conveying liquid to said moistening pad, part of said wick being disposed within said feed tube and having a gap therein, a branch tube assoiciated with said feed tube, a movable absorbent member capable of adjustment into and out of said gap to Avary the cross-section' of capillary flow through said wick and, thus, to control the supply of liquid to said pad, a holder for said movable absorbent member slidably mounted in said branch tube, a ,closure for the outer end of said branch tube and a stem connected to said holder and projecting through said closure, said stem having a screw-threaded engagement with 5. A moistening device for duplicating machines comprising a moistening pad, a reservoir for moistening liquid, a feed tube extending upwardly from said reservoir, a stationary wick forconveying liquid to said moistening pad, part of said wick being disposed within said feed tube and having a gap therein, a branch tube associated Awith said feed tube, a movable absorbent member capable of` adjustment .into and out of said gap to vary the cross-section of capillary ow through said wick and, thus, to control the supply of liquid to said pad, a holder for said movable absorbent member slidably mounted in said branch tube, a closure for the outer end of said branch tube, a stem connected to said holder and projecting through said closure, a spring urging said holder towards said gap, an abutment on said stem external to said branch tube, a cam member interposed between said closure and said abutment and movable to retract said holder4 against theaction of said spring and an adjustable stop associated with said cam mem- .ber and adapted on movement of the latter to define the optimum position of said movable absorbent member in relation to said gap.

6. A moistening device for duplicating machines comprising a moistening pad, a reservoir for moistening liquid, a feed tube extending upwardly from said reservoir, a stationary wick for conveying liquid to said moistening pad, part of `said wick being disposed within said feed tube and having a gap therein, a branch tube associated with said feed tube, a` movable absorbent member capable of adjustment into and out of said gap to vary the cross-section of capillary ow through said wick and, thus, to control the said closure and being rotatable to effect adjustment of said movable absorbent member.

4. A moistening device for duplicating machines comprising a moistening pad, a reservoir supply of liquid to said pad, a holder for said movable absorbent member slidably mounted in said branch tube, a closure for the outer end of said branch tube, a stem connected to said holder and projecting through said closure, a spring -urging said holder towards said gap, an abutvand means for fixing said plate in its angularly adjusted position.

-'7. A moistening device for a duplicating ma-` clriinea,having Va. rigid frame, comprising a moistening pad, a reservoir for moistening liquid extending transversely of said frame, a pair of feed tubes'extending upwardly from opposite sides of said reservoir, stationary wicks for conveying liquid to opposite ends of said moistening pad,

parts of said wicks being disposed within said said gap to vary the cross-sectionk of capillary Y- flow through said wick and, thus, to control the supply of liquid to said pad, a holderY for said movable absorbent member slidably mounted in said branch tube, a closure for the outer end ofv said branch tube, a stem connected to said holder and projecting through said closure,V a spring l urging said holder towards said gap, an abut--V feed tubes and each having a gap therein, branch tubesvassociated with said feed tubes, movable absorbent members capable of adjustment into and -out of said gaps to vary the cross-section of capillary flow through each o'f said wicks and, thus,1to control the supply of .fluid to said pad, holders for said movable absorbent members slidably mounted in said branch tubes, closures for the outer ends of said branch tubes, stems connected to said holders and extending through said closures, springs urging said holders to` wards said gaps. abutments on said stems external to said branch tubes, a bar extending transversely of said frame, said stems extending through longitudinal slots in said bar, cams on said bar interposed between said closures and said abutments. said bar being movable endwise to retract said holders against the action of said springs a projection on said bar, and an adjustable stop mounted on said frame and co-acting with said projection so as to prevent movement of said bar beyond a position corresponding to the optimum position of said movable absorbent members in relation to said gaps, and means for lxing said stop in its adjusted position.

8. A moistening device for duplicating machines comprising amoistening pad, a reservoir asoaess for moistening liquid, a feed tube extending upwardly from said reservoir, a stationary wick for conveying liquid to said moistening pad, a carrier tube engaging telescopicaily in said feed tube and having mounted therein in spaced relationship two portions of said wick, said feed tube and said carrier tube having openings in their sides opposite the space between the said wick portions, la movable absorbent member, a guide for said movable absorbent member, means for moving said absorbent member through said feed tube and carrier tube openings into and out of the 'gap between said wick portions to vary the cross-section of capillary flow through said wick and thus to control the supply of liquid to said pad.

FRANK RONALD FORD. 

